You can book a passport appointment at most U.S. Post Offices through their online system or by phone

Not every Post Office handles passport services. The ones that do accept appointments through the USPS website at usps.com or by calling 1-877-874-8860. When you call or visit the website, you'll enter your ZIP code to find which locations near you offer passport services, then select an available time slot. The appointment system shows you dates and times that are actually open — you won't be placed on a waitlist.

Post Offices that provide passport services are called Passport Acceptance Agents. They handle new passports, passport renewals by mail, and passport cards. Some locations have more availability than others, and busy urban offices may show appointments weeks out. Rural areas sometimes have fewer locations offering the service, which may mean traveling to the nearest participating Post Office.

You do not need an appointment to renew a passport by mail if you still have your physical passport book and meet other renewal requirements — you can mail it directly to the address on the USPS website. Appointments are for in-person services only.

Key Takeaways

  • Book your appointment on usps.com or by calling 1-877-874-8860; not all Post Offices offer passport services, so the system will show you which ones in your area do.
  • Bring your completed passport process form (DS-11 for new passports, DS-82 or DS-64 for renewals), a government-issued photo ID, and proof of citizenship such as a birth certificate or naturalization certificate.
  • Passport fees vary by document type and processing speed; standard processing takes several weeks, while expedited processing costs more and takes one to two weeks.
  • The Post Office accepts payment by check, money order, or credit/debit card at the time of your appointment — cash is not accepted for passport fees.
  • If you miss your appointment, you can reschedule through the same online system or phone line without penalty.

What documents to bring to your passport appointment

Bring your completed process form first. For a new passport, use Form DS-11. For a renewal, use Form DS-82 if you're renewing by mail or Form DS-11 if you're renewing in person. You can print these forms from the State Department website at state.gov or pick up a form at the Post Office itself. Do not sign the form before your appointment — the acceptance agent must witness your signature.

You'll need a government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, or military ID. You'll also need proof of citizenship: an original or certified copy of your birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or certificate of citizenship. A photocopy is not acceptable. If you were born outside the United States, bring your original or certified foreign birth certificate plus evidence of U.S. citizenship, such as a naturalization certificate or a U.S. passport you already hold.

Bring a color passport photo that meets State Department standards: 2 by 2 inches, taken within the last six months, with a white or off-white background, and showing your full face straight on. Many Post Offices offer passport photo services on-site if you don't have one. Bring your Social Security number written down — you'll need it on the form.

Passport fees and payment methods at the Post Office

The State Department sets passport fees, and the Post Office collects them at your appointment. As of 2024, a new passport book costs $130 for adults and $100 for children under 16. A passport card (a wallet-sized document for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean) costs $35 for adults and $20 for children. Renewal fees are lower: $110 for a book and $30 for a card. These fees do not include the execution fee charged by the Post Office for accepting your process, which is typically $35.

The Post Office accepts payment by check, money order, or credit and debit card. Cash is not accepted for passport fees. If you want expedited processing — which takes one to two weeks instead of several weeks — you'll pay an additional $60 on top of the passport fee. Expedited processing is available only for in-person applications, not mail renewals.

Fees can change, so confirm the current amount when you book your appointment or call ahead. The USPS website and the State Department website both list current fees.

How long the appointment takes and what happens after

Plan for 15 to 30 minutes at the Post Office. The acceptance agent will review your documents, ask you to sign the process in front of them, take your photo if you didn't bring one, collect your fee, and submit your process to the State Department. They will give you a receipt showing your process number and expected delivery date.

After your appointment, the State Department processes your process. Standard processing takes several weeks; expedited processing takes one to two weeks. You can track your process status on the State Department website using your process number and date of birth. Your passport will be mailed to the address you provided on your process.

If you need your passport urgently and standard processing is too slow, you can request expedited processing at your appointment. Some situations — such as international travel within two weeks — may may have access to you for emergency passport services at a State Department office or passport agency, which is faster but requires an in-person visit to a different location.

Rescheduling or canceling your appointment

If you need to change your appointment time, go back to usps.com, enter your ZIP code, and select a different available slot. You can also call 1-877-874-8860 to reschedule. There is no fee or penalty for rescheduling. If you cancel and don't rebook, your original time slot opens up for other people.

If you miss your appointment without canceling, you'll need to book a new one through the same system. Some Post Offices may ask you to reschedule if you arrive more than 15 minutes late, so plan to arrive a few minutes early.

Passport services at different types of Post Office locations

Full-service Post Offices are most likely to offer passport services. Some smaller Post Office branches, contract postal units, or locations inside retail stores do not. When you search for an appointment on usps.com or call 1-877-874-8860, the system will only show you locations that actually provide passport services, so you won't waste time calling a branch that doesn't handle passports.

If no appointments are available near you within a reasonable timeframe, you have other options. You can explore for a passport at any State Department passport agency or acceptance facility — these are separate from Post Offices and sometimes have more availability. You can find passport agencies near you on the State Department website. You can also renew a passport by mail if you meet the requirements, which avoids the appointment process entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I book a passport appointment online without calling?

Yes. Go to usps.com, enter your ZIP code in the passport appointment finder, and select an available date and time. The online system shows real availability and confirms your appointment when ready. You'll receive a confirmation email with your appointment details and a list of documents to bring.

What if the nearest Post Office with passport services is far away?

You can travel to any Post Office that offers passport services — you're not limited to your local branch. You can also explore at a State Department passport agency or acceptance facility, which may be closer or have more availability. Passport renewal by mail is another option if you meet the may be able to access requirements and don't need your passport urgently.

Do I need to bring my Social Security card to my appointment?

No. Bring your Social Security number written down on a piece of paper. The acceptance agent will record it on your process. You do not need to bring the actual card.

Can someone else pick up my passport after it's mailed to me?

Your passport is mailed to the address you provide on your process. If you want someone else to receive it, you can have it mailed to their address instead — just write that address on your process form. The person who receives it does not need to sign anything; passports are delivered like regular mail.

What if I need my passport in less than two weeks?

Expedited processing at a Post Office takes one to two weeks and costs $60 extra. If you need it faster, you must visit a State Department passport agency or explore for an emergency passport. Emergency services are available for international travel within 14 days or other urgent situations. Find a passport agency near you on the State Department website.